Drinking alcohol is against the law in Iran and no shops or hotels are permitted to sell it. Anyone caught in possession of alcohol faces arrest and in the case of a tourist face deportation.

Can I drink alcohol and eat pork in Iran?

So you should, however, bear in mind that bringing alcohol into Iran is strictly forbidden, so travelers cannot take advantage of their duty-free alcohol allowance when coming to Iran. Also If you bring chocolates from abroad, which are always appreciated, make sure they do not contain alcohol.

Alcohol and Alcoholic Drinks Market in Iran

In its latest report on alcoholic drinks market in Iran the Euromonitor has reported that the alcoholic drinks market in Iran comprises only non-alcoholic beer as Islamic law forbids the consumption, manufacture and trade of alcohol in any form among Muslims. Such regulations have created very strong demand for non-alcoholic beer.

Iranian police dump confiscated beer cans in Tehran. AFP

Anti-smuggling initiatives from the Iranian government, coupled with health awareness campaigns about the consumption of cola carbonates and campaigns encouraging the drinking of non-alcoholic beer, further boosted demand in 2014. Euromonitor

People in Iran tend to drink tea, Sharbat (a cool, sweet drink known as the world’s first soft drink) or doogh (a savoury yogurt drink).